Sheriff brands woman’s thefts as ‘despicable’

Spared jail after draining friend’s bank account

A “despicable” Airdrie woman who stole almost £2500 from a man with learning difficulties has avoided a jail sentence.

Heartless Michelle Beatson took advantage of her longtime friend after he entrusted her with his bank details to order a product using her Amazon account. The 35-year-old Bore Road resident subsequently placed scores of orders for herself without her victim’s knowledge or consent.

During her trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court last month, the procurator fiscal described Beatson’s awful actions: “The complainer had been a friend of the accused and her husband for 20 years.

“He has learning difficulties and gave the accused his bank details so she could buy a game for him online. She bought the game using her Amazon account and it was delivered to the complainer; all was in order.

“But thereafter, the illegal activity began to take place and she began ordering goods for herself from the account.

“It ended in December 2013 as the bank card expired and no further activity from it was possible.”

However, in October 2015 the victim asked Beatson to order another item for him and she once again began to make purchases to her home address.

The fiscal continued: “The victim became suspicious when he was told by his bank he had insufficient funds to pay some of his outgoings.

“His sister looked into it, saw the orders from Amazon and then contacted the police.

“In all, 184 transactions had been made from the card, of which only two were sent to the victim’s address.”

Her defence solicitor said: “My client is suitable for unpaid work but a restriction or liberty may be the most appropriate course of action.

“In relation to a compensation order she can afford to pay £20 per fortnight.

“She is 35-years-old and this is her first offence.”

And when she returned to the dock last week, Sheriff Morag Shankland told a visibly relieved Beatson: “This was a despicable act involving someone you knew well.

“However, as an alternative to custody I am ordering that you complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community within the next nine months.

“You will also pay a compensation order to your victim of £2500 and remain under supervision for 12 months.”